Making the right decisions about university choices and preparation for future careers are undoubtedly some of the most important decisions that students will be faced with during their time at the RGS.
Careers & Higher Education
ISI Report 2022Regarding careers, senior pupils affirmed that they greatly appreciate the excellent help and support that is readily available to them.
Individual Guidance
The design of the curriculum ensures that critical decisions are not made until students make their A Level choices. Plans are discussed individually with each student so that they are aware of the potential implications of choices made in terms of university and career aspirations. This same rationale underpins the guidance on university applications.
Universities
The School is very proud of its record in securing places at leading universities: over the last six years, on average, 25% of students have gained a place at Oxford or Cambridge with large numbers also studying at Durham, Exeter, Warwick, Bath, Bristol, Nottingham and the London universities of Imperial, UCL and KCL. Support is also given for those choosing to apply to American Universities or to follow the increasingly popular Degree Apprenticeship route.
Results 2022-23
The most common grade achieved by RGS students was the A* grade; 81 students achieved a clean sweep of grades at A or A*, 37 of those achieved 3 or more A* grades: an incredible achievement in the current climate.
A Levels
2023 Results
| Subject | A* | A | B | C | D | E/U | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient History | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Art | 3 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Biology | 13 | 11 | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | 28 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | 40 |
| Design & Technology | – | 2 | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | – | – | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Economics | 24 | 25 | 16 | 1 | 1 | – | 67 |
| English Literature | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 9 |
| French | 1 | 4 | 5 | – | – | – | 10 |
| Further Mathematics | 18 | 15 | 2 | 2 | – | – | 37 |
| Geography | 6 | 10 | 3 | – | 1 | – | 20 |
| German | 1 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | 4 |
| Government & Politics | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | – | – | 17 |
| Greek | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| History | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 17 |
| Latin | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | – | – | 8 |
| Mathematics | 53 | 26 | 20 | 3 | 4 | – | 106 |
| Physics | 27 | 7 | 7 | 6 | – | – | 47 |
| Physical Education | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | 8 |
| Religious Studies | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | 13 |
| Spanish | 3 | 5 | 1 | – | – | – | 9 |
| Totals | 192 | 155 | 85 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 460 |
Leavers' Destinations
2016-2023
| University | Number of Students |
| Durham University | 125 |
| Cambridge University | 121 |
| Exeter University | 95 |
| Bath University | 86 |
| Bristol University | 70 |
| Nottingham University | 66 |
| Oxford University | 59 |
| Birmingham University | 42 |
| Warwick University | 41 |
| University College, London | 39 |
| Imperial College, London | 33 |
| Leeds University | 32 |
Oxbridge Numbers
2014-2023
| Subject | Cambridge | Oxford | Total |
| Ancient History and Archaeology | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| AMES | 2 | – | 2 |
| Anthropology | 1 | – | 1 |
| Architecture | 1 | – | 1 |
| Biological Sciences/Biochemistry | – | 4 | 4 |
| Biomedical Sciences | – | 2 | 2 |
| Chemistry | – | 7 | 7 |
| Chinese Studies | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Classics | 6 | 8 | 14 |
| Computer Science | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| Earth Science | – | 1 | 1 |
| Economics | 13 | – | 13 |
| Engineering | 19 | 5 | 24 |
| English | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Experimental Psychology | – | 2 | 2 |
| Geography | 3 | – | 3 |
| History | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| HSPS | 5 | – | 5 |
| Land Economy | 4 | – | 4 |
| Law | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| Material Science | – | 1 | 1 |
| Mathematics | 23 | 4 | 27 |
| Medicine | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Modern Foreign Languages/Linguistics | 12 | 7 | 19 |
| Music | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Natural Sciences | 42 | – | 42 |
| Philosophy | – | 3 | 3 |
| Physics | – | 6 | 6 |
| Philosophy, Politics and Economics | – | 13 | 13 |
| Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics | – | 1 | 1 |
| Theology | – | 2 | 2 |
| Veterinary Science | 2 | – | 2 |
| All Subjects | 157 | 94 | 251 |
University Courses
Top 21 degree choices 2016-2023
| Degree Programme | Undergraduates |
| Economics | 146 |
| Engineering | 130 |
| Mathematics or Computer Science | 75 |
| Finance and Management | 60 |
| Geography | 57 |
| Medicine | 55 |
| History | 55 |
| Modern/Asian Languages | 50 |
| Natural Sciences | 49 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences | 43 |
| International Relations or Politics | 43 |
| Flexible or Combined Honours | 41 |
| Physics | 38 |
| Classics | 33 |
| Philosophy (inc. with Theology) | 28 |
| English | 25 |
| PPE | 24 |
| Law | 21 |
| Music | 15 |
| Chemistry | 12 |
| Psychology | 8 |
Careers
Students are given plenty of opportunities to investigate and explore potential career paths. All Fifth Form students undertake a period of Work Experience following the completion of their GCSE examinations.
The annual Careers Convention, at which over 80 professions and companies are represented including many alumni, and the programme of career-specific seminars which run throughout the year provide further opportunities. The fortnightly Careers and Higher Education Bulletin provides advice on university applications and the opportunities available in and beyond school to develop their own particular interests. In addition, as Director of Careers and Higher Education, Mr Dunscombe is always available for one-to-one consultations with both students and parents.
